Axial Bearing For Use In A Hydraulic Device, A Hydraulic Transformer And A Vehicle With A Hydraulic Drive System

ABSTRACT

An axial bearing between a first part and a second part that presses with an axial load against the first part and can rotate around a rotation axis relative to the first part comprising a circular or arc-shaped ridge on the first part centered around the rotation axis, a pressure source for providing pressurized hydraulic fluid on a first side of the circular or arc-shaped ridge, an adjustable gap between the circular or arc shaped ridge and a bearing surface on the second part, wherein the pressurized hydraulic fluid flows through the adjustable gap to a second side of the circular or arc-shaped ridge. In accordance with the invention the circular or arc-shaped ridge or the bearing surface include a ridge chamber for locally creating a larger adjustable gap between the circular or arc-shaped ridge and the bearing surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of pending International patent application PCT/EP2010/054702 filed on Apr. 9, 2010 which designates the United States and claims priority from European Patent applications EP 09161738.1 filed on Jun. 2, 2009 and EP 09158296.5 filed on Apr. 20, 2009. The content of all prior applications is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention concerns an axial bearing between a first part and a second part that presses with an axial load against the first part and can rotate around a rotation axis relative to the first part comprising a circular or arc-shaped ridge on the first part centered around the rotation axis, a pressure source for providing pressurized hydraulic fluid on a first side of the circular or arc-shaped ridge, an adjustable gap between the circular or arc shaped ridge and a bearing surface on the second part, wherein the pressurized hydraulic fluid flows through the adjustable gap to a second side of the circular or arc-shaped ridge.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Such axial bearings are known for instance from hydraulic devices such as pumps, motors or transformers where they are used as bearing between the rotor and the port plate. Other known uses are hydrostatic bearings in a gearbox with helical gears or hydrostatic bearings in other machinery.

In the axial bearing, the pressure difference between both sides of the circular or arc-shaped ridge causes the oil pressure to fall in the adjustable gap when going from the first side to the second side. How the pressure falls and whether a pressure profile from one side of the ridge to the other side of the ridge is linear, progressive or digressive determines the force that this pressure generates to counteract the axial load and with a given axial load determines the gap-height.

For the pressure profile, the shape of the gap is very important. Especially important is whether the walls of the gap, seen in flow direction, are parallel, diverging, or converging. As the gap-height is small, from 2 to 15 microns, minor changes in temperature distribution in the walls of the gap create changes in the diverging or converging of the walls so that the pressure profile in the gap often is unpredictable. The walls of the gap influence the flow in such narrow gaps considerably and the flow theories using laminar or turbulent flow models do not describe the situation properly. As the walls of the adjustable gap move relative to one another, there is a viscous friction. The viscous friction increases with the speed of the relative movement as the gap gets narrower and/or the speed increases and decreases with increasing gap-height. The viscous friction generates heat in the oil that might influence the gap-height due to change in dimensions of the ridge or the bearing surface.

In the known axial bearings, it is very difficult to optimize the axial bearing. A too small axial load leads to a large height of the adjustable gap due to the oil pressure in the adjustable gap between the circular or arc-shaped ridge and the bearing surface. This can lead to a too large oil flow through the gap. This large oil flow will arise if, for average oil viscosity, the average height of the gap is more than 10-20 micron and the pressure of the pressurized hydraulic fluid is more than 10 MPa.

If the axial load is too large, there is too much friction during rotation of the rotor combined with heating of the oil flow due to viscous losses in the adjustable gap. In addition, in an adjustable gap that is very narrow, local deformations or local disturbances in the flow through the gap may occur which might lead to further local heat generation. Local heat generation leads to deformations of the circular of arc-shaped ridge or the bearing surface and to further narrowing of the gap. These deformations might lead to undesired wear as metallic contact between the rotating and stationary parts may occur.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to reduce the disadvantages the axial bearing, the circular or arc-shaped ridge and the bearing surface comprise a ridge chamber for locally creating a larger adjustable gap between the circular or arc-shaped ridge and the bearing surface. Because of this feature, the pressure profile in the adjustable gap is more stable as the pressure in the ridge chamber is constant. The pressure changes from the one side of the circular of arc-shaped ridge to the other side take place over a considerably reduced distance so that variations in the pressure profile have less influence on the force counteracting the axial load and have less influence on the gap-height. A further result is that over a considerable surface of the adjustable gap the gap-height is higher which strongly reduces the viscous friction in the adjustable gap. In situations where the walls of the adjustable gap have a high relative speed, locally increasing the gap-height strongly reduces the friction and heat generation. This leads to less energy loss and less deformation due to local high temperatures in the walls of the adjustable gap on the circular or arc-shaped ridge and the bearing surface. This reduces the risk of metallic contact and so reduces wear.

In an embodiment, the ridge chamber has a surface that is at least 50% of the surface of the circular or arc shaped ridge. This ensures that for at least half the surface the friction between rotating parts is considerably reduced, which means that there is a considerable reduction or possibly halving of the viscous friction between the two parts.

In an embodiment, the ridge chamber has a depth of more than 10-30 microns. This ensures that in the ridge chamber there is sufficient oil of a constant pressure. In this way oil pressure in the ridge chamber counteracts the axial load with a constant force that is little influenced by the gap-height.

In an embodiment, a first slot connects the ridge chamber with the first side of the circular or arc-shaped ridge. This ensures that always a certain amount of oil flows into the ridge chamber and that the pressure of the oil in the ridge chamber can have a value that is more or less between the pressures on both sides of the circular or arc-shaped ridge. The oil pressure in the ridge chamber is now less dependent on the gap-height of the sides of the ridge chamber and is therefore less dependent on the deformations or shape of the walls of the adjustable gap. This reduces the risk that the axial load might reduce the gap-height too much and cause too much viscous friction or metallic contact and wear.

In an embodiment, a second canal connects the ridge chamber with the second side of the circular or arc-shaped ridge. This ensures that always a certain amount of oil flows out of the ridge chamber and that the pressure of the oil in the ridge chamber can have a value that is more or less between the pressures on both sides of the circular or arc-shaped ridge. The oil pressure in the ridge chamber is now less dependent on the gap-height of the sides of the ridge chamber and so is less dependent on the deformations or shape of the walls of the adjustable gap. This reduces the risk of too much flow of oil of high-pressure through the adjustable gap and with that of unnecessary energy loss.

In an embodiment, a slot from the ridge chamber to the first side or the second side forms the first canal or the second canal respectively and the width of the slot is less than half its height. This ensures that the gap-height has only little influence on the opening of the canal so that changing the cap height does not change the inflow in the ridge chamber or the outflow from the ridge chamber and ensures that the changing gap-height has only little influence on the pressure in the ridge chamber.

In an embodiment, the first or the second canal has valve means to adjust the flow resistance of the canal. This ensures that the height of the adjustable gap is adapted to the actual situation. In situations that the rotation speed is high, it is advantageous to reduce the friction in the adjustable gap. In that situation, reducing the flow resistance in the first canal and/or increasing the flow resistance in the second canal leads to a higher pressure in the ridge chamber and to a higher gap, which gives less friction.

In situations with high pressure of the pressurized fluid and relative low rotation speed, the major source of energy loss is leakage of oil through the adjustable gap. Increasing the flow resistance in the first canal and/or reducing the flow resistance in the second canal leads to a lower pressure in the ridge chamber and to a narrower gap. The narrow gap has less leakage and so reduces the energy loss.

In an embodiment, the rotation speed of the first part or the second part controls the valve means, preferably the valve means are set by a centrifugal force generated by the rotation in the part. This ensures in a simple way that the axial bearing adapts to a large range in the rotation speed.

In an embodiment, the pressure of the hydraulic fluid on the first side controls the valve means, preferably the valve means are set by the pressure of the pressure source on the first side. This ensures in a simple way that the axial bearing adapts to a large range of the pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the pressure source.

In an embodiment, the axial load depends on the pressure of the hydraulic fluid on the first side. This ensures that the gap-height is independent of the pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the pressure source.

In an embodiment, the pressure source provides hydraulic fluid between two concentric circular or arc-shaped ridges and two radial ridges connecting the circular or arc-shaped ridges. This ensures a small area with the high pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the pressure source. This small area limits the length of the ridges surrounding it so that oil leakage through the gaps between the ridges and the bearing surface is smaller.

The invention also concerns a hydraulic transformer with 4-quadrant operation for use in vehicle drive system. In the known hydraulic transformers, the rotors are in the centre and the barrel plate rests against the port plate, the covers support the inclined port plates. The rotor and the shaft guide the radial forces on the pistons via a bearing to the covers. The radial forces generated by the port plates on the covers counteract in the covers these radial forces. However, the forces on the shaft are considerable and lead to bending and elastic deformations that are a disadvantage as this might lead to oscillations and leakage. In addition, the setting of the hydraulic transformer by rotating both port plates synchronously is complicated.

In order to overcome these disadvantages the hydraulic transformer comprises a housing with covers at opposite sides, in the housing a shaft with a rotation axis, two rotors each in axial direction supported by a first axial bearing, pistons mounted in the rotors, two inclined barrel plates that rotate with the rotors, barrel sleeves supported by the barrel plates, a chamber formed by a barrel sleeve and a piston, wherein the volume of the chamber changes during rotation of the rotor and a swath plate with a second axial bearing between the swath plate and the barrel plate characterized in that the covers each support or are part of a port plate that is part of the first axial bearing, further that the rotors are between the first axial bearings and that both swash plates are located between the rotors and support or are part of a swash block, the hydraulic transformer further comprising an actuator for rotating the swash block. In this way, the swash block leads radial forces from the barrel plate via a short way to the rotor and pistons so that the deformations are minimal. Further, the setting of the hydraulic transformer is easy by rotating the swash block. Rotating the swash block sets the top dead centre angle on both sides of the swash block simultaneously.

In an embodiment, the actuator comprises a rotary cylinder mounted in the swash block. This ensures a direct hydraulic rotation of the swash block that ensures quick setting of the hydraulic transformer.

In an embodiment, the housing comprises a sensor for detecting the rotary position of the swash block. In this way, an accurate setting of the hydraulic transformer is possible.

The invention also concerns a vehicle with a hydraulic drive system. In the known systems the motor/pump unit and the hydraulic transformer are coupled directly. This leads to the situation when the setting of the hydraulic transformer has as result that the motor/pump unit exerts a braking torque on the wheel that after the wheel has stopped rotating the braking torque starts acting as a driving torque in reverse direction if the setting of the hydraulic transformer is not changed immediately. For instance during parking of the vehicle, this could lead to undesirable situations.

In order to overcome this disadvantage the hydraulic drive system comprises a common high-pressure rail with an high-pressure accumulator, a common low-pressure rail with a low-pressure accumulator, an internal combustion engine driving a constant displacement pump connected to the common high-pressure rail and the common low-pressure rail, for each front wheel or for each rear wheel a motor/pump unit and a hydraulic transformer with 4-quadrant operation with connections to the common high-pressure rail and via a first motor line and a second motor line to the motor/pump unit characterized in that the hydraulic transformer comprises a forward propulsion valve or a reverse propulsion valve connecting the common low-pressure rail respectively to the first motor line or to the second motor line, which propulsion valves have a spring to hold the valve in a first position wherein they act as check valve blocking the flow to the common low-pressure rail and an actuator that can switch the propulsion valve to a second position connecting the common low-pressure rail to one of the motor lines. In this way, a wheel can only rotate in one direction unless the control system changes the setting of a valve. This prevents undesired or unexpected rotations of the wheels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to several exemplary embodiments by means of a drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 schematically shows the components of a hydraulic drive of a car,

FIG. 2 shows a diagram of a drive and brake system of a hydraulic driven wheel of a car driving forward,

FIG. 3 shows a diagram of the drive and brake system of a hydraulic driven wheel of a car driving reverse,

FIG. 4 shows a diagram of the drive and brake system of a hydraulic driven wheel of a car riding forward and braking,

FIG. 5 shows a diagram of the drive and brake system of a hydraulic driven wheel of a car riding reverse and braking,

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a hydraulic transformer assembly for use in the hydraulic drive of a car,

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the hydraulic transformer of FIG. 6 with a cut out and opened housing showing the internal parts,

FIG. 8 shows an exploded view of the main parts of the hydraulic transformer of FIGS. 6 and 7 excluding the housing,

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view with a cut out of the housing of the hydraulic transformer assembly of FIG. 6-8 without the rotating parts and end covers,

FIG. 10 shows a section through the hydraulic transformer of FIGS. 6-9 with an actuator for setting the transformer control angle,

FIG. 11 shows a longitudinal section through the hydraulic transformer of FIGS. 6-10,

FIG. 12 shows graphically the pressure quotient of the pressure of the operation pressure and the high pressure in dependence of a transformer control angle,

FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of sealing area on a rotating part, and

FIG. 14 shows a schematic section through a sealing area between a rotating and a stationary part.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a passenger car 12 with the various components of a hydraulic drive system for the car wherein all four wheels of the car 12 are driven. The drive system comprises an internal combustion engine 2 that drives a constant displacement pump 4 that pumps hydraulic fluid from a common low-pressure rail 6 to a common high-pressure rail 5. The common low-pressure rail 6 is connected to a low-pressure accumulator 8 and the common high-pressure rail 5 is connected to a high-pressure accumulator 9. A drive control system 1 controls the internal combustion engine 2 and this drive control system 1 maintains by controlling the rotation speed and/or of the starting or stopping of the internal combustion engine 2 that the hydraulic pressure in the common high-pressure rail 5 is between a high and a low value.

The front wheels of the passenger car 12 each have a front wheel motor/pump 3 that is connected to a front axle hydraulic transformer 7. Document WO97/31185 describes the operation principle of a hydraulic transformer; hereafter the design of the hydraulic transformer is further elucidated. The front axle hydraulic transformer 7 is also connected to the common high-pressure rail 5 and the common low-pressure rail 6 and is controlled by the drive control system 1. The rear wheels of the passenger car 12 each have a rear wheel motor/pump 11 that is connected to a rear axle hydraulic transformer 10. The rear axle hydraulic transformer 10 is connected to the common high-pressure rail 5 and the common low-pressure rail 6 and is controlled by the drive control system 1. In other embodiments of passenger cars 12, only the front wheels are driven or only the rear wheels are driven. The hydraulic drive systems for these cars are similar and form a simplified version of the described embodiment. Hydraulic drive systems for commercial vehicles are similar with front wheel drive, rear wheel drive, or four-wheel drive as well. The wheel motor/pump 3, 11 is designed such that it acts as a motor for driving the wheel 22 and that it acts as a pump for braking the wheel 22.

FIGS. 2-5 schematically show how a wheel motor/pump 3, 11 drives and brakes an attached wheel 22 with a wheel rotation direction 23; the shown design is for all wheels similar. Braking the rotation of the motor/pump 3, 11 and the wheel 22 by pumping hydraulic fluid back into the common high-pressure rail 5 recuperates the kinetic energy of the speeding vehicle. The wheels 22 have an additional brake system of conventional design used for emergency braking if required and for braking during standstill or parking. An interrupted line in the FIGS. 2-5 indicates the hydraulic transformer 7, 10 as such. The motor/pump 3, 11 is directly coupled to the wheel 22. A first motor/pump connection 26 and a second motor/pump connection 25 connect the motor/pump 3, 11 to the hydraulic transformer 7, 10. The first motor/pump connection 26 connects to a first user connection port 13 of the hydraulic transformer 7, 10. The second motor/pump connection 25 connects to a second user connection port 18 of the hydraulic transformer 7, 10. The common high-pressure rail 5 connects via a high-pressure connection HP to the high-pressure port 15 of the hydraulic transformer 7, 10.

The first motor/pump connection 26 further connects via a reverse propulsion valve 24 and a low-pressure connection LP to the common low-pressure rail 6 and the second motor/pump connection 25 connects via a forward propulsion valve 20 and the low-pressure connection LP to the common low-pressure rail 6. The forward propulsion valve 20 and the reverse propulsion valve 24 each have two positions. A spring 19 pushes the valves 20, 24 in a first position and an actuator 21 controlled by the drive control system 1 can bring the valves 20, 24 in the second position. In the first position, a check valve in each valve 20, 24 prevents flow from the first, respective the second motor/pump connection 25, 26 to the low-pressure connection LP and in the second position the first, and respective the second motor/pump connection 25, 26 have an open connection to the low-pressure connection LP.

In the first position of the valves 20, 24 oil flow is only possible from the low-pressure connection to the hydraulic transformer 7, 10 so that the wheel motor/pump 3, 11 can only act as pump and the wheel 22 has to supply energy and brakes independent of the setting of the hydraulic transformer 7, 10. This means that with the valves 20, 24 in the first position inadvertently driving the wheels 22 is not possible.

FIGS. 2-5 show the hydraulic transformer 7, 10 schematically with the three ports 13, 15 and 18 that are part of a port plate 30 (see FIGS. 8, 9, 11) and shown as arcs around a circle indicating a rotation group 17. A top dead centre TDC indicates the setting of a top dead centre of piston movement 14 in the rotation group 17 at varying transformer control angles 6. In the circle, an arrow 16 indicates the direction of rotation of the rotation group 17. The areas p and m indicate where in the rotation group 17 a volume of a chamber 65 (see FIG. 11) above the pistons 42 (see FIGS. 8, 9, 11) decreases or increases during rotation of the rotation group 17 areas and acts as in a pump or motor respectively.

FIG. 2 shows the transformer control angle 6 set so that hydraulic pressure in the high-pressure port 15 drives the rotation of the rotation group 17 of the hydraulic transformer 7, 10. The pistons in the area p in the rotation group 17 pump the hydraulic fluid via the first user connection port 13 and the first motor/pump connection 26 to the wheel motor/pump 3, 11. The setting of the transformer control angle δ determines the pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the first motor/pump connection 26 and so determines the driving torque. The reverse propulsion valve 24 is closed so that the hydraulic fluid flows only to the wheel motor/pump 3, 11 and causes the wheel 22 to rotate in the rotation direction 23 and the passenger car 12 starts moving at an increasing speed. The forward propulsion valve 20 is in the second position so that hydraulic fluid flowing at low-pressure from the wheel motor/pump 3, 11 through the second motor/pump connection 25 can flow to the low-pressure connection LP and to the second user connection port 18 of the hydraulic transformer 18.

FIG. 4 shows the transformer control angle 6 set at an opposite angle as compared to the situation shown in FIG. 2 and the forward propulsion valve 20 is closed as well. In this setting, the wheel motor/pump 3, 11 exerts a braking torque on the rotating wheel 22 so that its speed reduces. The wheel motor/pump 3, 11 now acts as pump and it pumps hydraulic fluid through the second motor/pump connection 25 to the second user connection port 18. In the hydraulic transformer 7, 10, the hydraulic fluid expands in the chambers above the pistons of the rotation group 17 in the area m. These pistons drive the rotation group 17 in the direction indicated with the arrow 16. The chambers above the pistons connect first to the second pump user connection port 18 and after that to the high-pressure port 15. When the chambers are connected to the high-pressure port 15, the pistons in the rotation group 17 compress hydraulic fluid to the high-pressure connection HP. The wheel motor/pump 3, 11 supplies the energy required for this compression by pumping hydraulic fluid at a raised pressure in the second motor/pump connection 25 and this results in a braking torque on the wheel 22. The setting of the transformer control angle 6 determines the pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the second motor/pump connection 25 and so determines the braking torque. The first user connection port 13 and the low-pressure connection LP via the check valve in the forward propulsion valve 20 provide the hydraulic fluid that the wheel motor/pump 3, 11 pumps in the second motor/pump connection 25.

FIGS. 3 and 5 show the settings of the hydraulic transformer 7, 10, the forward propulsion valve 20 and the reverse propulsion valve 24 respectively in the situation that wheel motor/pump 3, 11 exerts a reverse driving torque on the wheel 22 and the situation that the wheel motor/pump 3, 11 brakes the reverse rotating wheel 22. The various settings and flows of hydraulic fluid are similar to those described for FIGS. 2 and 4.

FIG. 4 shows braking of the wheel 22 when the vehicle is driving forward. The setting of the transformer control angle 6 is similar to the situation as shown in FIG. 3 wherein the wheel motor 3, 11 exerts a reverse driving torque on the wheel 22. The difference is the setting of the reverse propulsion valve 24. During braking as shown in FIG. 4, at the moment of standstill of the wheel 22 the rotor in the hydraulic transformer 7, 10 stops rotating. The rotation group 17 cannot start to rotate in the opposite direction (as is possible in the situation shown in FIG. 3) due to the settings of the propulsion valves 20, 24 and the wheel remains stationary. In this way the propulsion valves 20, 24 act to release a driving torque in the desired direction of rotation of a wheel independent of the setting of the hydraulic transformer 7, 10. In a situation that the drive control system 1 is switched off the springs 19 will set the propulsion valves 20, 24 in a position that the wheel motor/pump 3, 11 can only generate a braking torque so that undesired acceleration of the wheels 22 is prevented under all circumstances.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show external views of a hydraulic transformer assembly 27, which comprises the hydraulic transformer 7, 10 with the propulsion valves 20, 24. FIGS. 8 and 9 show the various components inside the housing 52 of the hydraulic transformer assembly 27 in perspective view. FIGS. 10 and 11 show respectively a cross section and a longitudinal section of the hydraulic transformer assembly 27.

The hydraulic transformer assembly 27 includes the components as shown in FIGS. 2-5 such as the hydraulic transformer 7, 10, the propulsion valves 20, 24 and an actuators 21 for each propulsion valve 20, 24. The first motor/pump connection 26 and the second motor/pump connection 25 each connect the transformer assembly 27 to two front wheel motor/pumps 3 or to two rear wheel motor/pumps 11. A housing 52 has at both ends covers 28, a rim aligns the covers 28 inside the housing 52. Bearings 31 are mounted in the covers 28, the bearings 31 support a shaft 34. At both ends of the shaft 34 there is a rotor 32. The shaft has outer splines 37 that cooperate with the inner splines 39 of the rotor 32 so that both rotors 32 rotate with the shaft 34. Both rotors 32 have pistons 42 whereby the inner and outer splines 37, 39 are set in such a way that the rotative positions of the pistons 42 of one rotor 32 are between the rotative positions of the pistons 42 of the other rotor 32.

A pin 76 synchronizes the rotation of a barrel assembly 33 comprising a barrel plate 56 and cups 40 with the rotation of the rotor 32. The shaft 34 supports a swivel bearing sphere 64 that supports a spherical swivel bearing 44 of the barrel plate 56 so that the barrel plate 56 can swivel relative to the rotor 32. A spring 62 pushes at one side against a support ring 61 that is fixed on the inside of the rotor 32. The spring 62 pushes at its other side against pressure pins 63 that push against the swivel bearing sphere 64 and so push the barrel plate 56 and the rotor 32 in opposite directions. The barrel plate 56 supports cups 40 which are mounted side by side and between cup positioners 55. A cup holding plate 54 holds the cups 40 and the cup positioners 55 on the barrel plate 56.

Pistons 42 are mounted on rotor 32 and each forms with the cup 40 a chamber 65 that has a changing volume. The piston 42 has a piston canal 38 that extends through the rotor 32 and forms a canal with a port 43 in a port plate 30. The port plate 30 has a pin 66 that maintains the port plate 30 in a fixed rotative position in the cover 28 and with that relative to the housing 52. From the port 43 the canal continues as a canal in the cover 28 and a canal 29 in the housing 52 to the first user connection port 13, second user connection 18 or the high pressure connection HP (as shown in FIGS. 2-5).

Bearings 35 are mounted on the shaft 34 and support a swash block 36 that can rotate a limited angle in the housing 52. The swash block 36 has at both sides inclined swash plate surfaces 41 that support the barrel plates 56. The barrel plates 56 swivel around the swivel bearing sphere 64 and rest against the inclined swash plate surfaces 41 so that the pistons 42 move in and out the cup 40 during rotation of the shaft 34. Due to the swiveling movement the volume of the chamber 65 changes between a minimum and a maximum value. By rotating the swash block 36 in the housing 52 the rotative position of the rotor 32 where the volume of the chamber 65 is minimal, which is the top dead centre TDC indicated with 53 can be set to a desired value.

FIG. 10 shows the top dead centre 53 of the swash plate surfaces 41. In the shown embodiment the swash plate surfaces 41 at both sides of the swash block 36 intersect in a line perpendicular to the rotation axis of shaft 34 so that the top dead centre 53 for the volume of the chambers 65 at both sides of the swash block 36 is at the same rotative position and as the pistons 42 on the one side of the swash block 36 are between the pistons 42 on the other side of the swash block 36, the minimum value at both sides of the swash block 36 follow each other.

In the outer circumference of the swash block 36 there is a groove with moving vanes 45 diametrically opposite each other and sealing against the inner surface of the housing 52. In the housing 52 there are diametrically opposed stationary vanes 47. The stationary vanes 47 and the moving vanes 45 form in the housing four pressure chambers 46 that have a TDC control connection ports 48 connected to a swash block control valve (not shown). The pressure chambers 46 rotate the swash block 36 in the housing 52. The swash block 36 has a detector groove 49 that cooperates with a sensor (not shown) for detecting the rotative position of the swash block 36.

The moving vanes 45 are mounted on the swash block 36 in such a way that the top dead centre of the swash plate 53 can rotate over 97 degrees in one direction and 69 degrees in the opposite direction. This asymmetry makes it possible to set the hydraulic transformer assembly 27 in such a way that the first user connection port 13 has a higher pressure than the high-pressure port 15. In this way it is possible when the common high-pressure rail 5 has a lower pressure than the maximum pressure on which the hydraulic transformer assembly 27 can operate, which occurs during normal driving in order to be able to recuperate kinetic energy during braking, to bring full the maximum hydraulic pressure on the first motor/pump connection 26 and make maximum acceleration of the vehicle possible.

FIG. 12 shows the quotient of the first user connection port 13 and the high-pressure port HP in dependence of the angle 6 of the top dead centre 53 of the swash plate surfaces 41. A line 51 shows the pressure quotient in dependence of the transformer control angle 6. An operating range 50 of the hydraulic transformer is chosen such that although the transformer can be used for driving and braking in both directions of rotation (four-quadrant use) the settings of the transformer are asymmetrical so that the driving torque can be higher than the braking torque.

The oil pressure in the chambers 65 pushes the barrel plate 56 against the swivel block 36 and the rotor 32 against the port plate 30. This is the main axial force, except in situations where the oil pressure is very low. In that situation the force of the spring 62 presses the rotor 32 and the barrel plate 56 against respective the port plate 30 and the swivel block 36 in order to prevent oil leakage and facilitate starting. The forces on the rotor 32 in the axial direction of the rotation axis of the shaft 34 created by the oil pressure in the chambers 65 are necessary for creating a seal in the second axial bearing 59 and are in part balanced by forces of oil pressure in the piston canal 38 and the port 43 in the second axial bearing 59 between the rotor 32 and the port plate 30.

The forces on the barrel plate 56 caused by the oil pressure in the chambers 65 and are necessary for creating a seal in the first axial bearing 57. These forces are in part balanced by forces of oil pressure in the first axial bearing 57. For this a barrel plate canal 58 connects the chamber 65 and the first axial bearing 57. The forces in axial direction on both sides of the swivel block 36 are more or less identical in opposite direction so that this brings no load on the bearings 35.

The forces in radial direction on the swivel block 36 are guided through the respective bearing 35 and the outer splines 37 via the inner splines 39 to the pistons 42 where they are counteracted by the radial hydraulic forces on the pistons 42 that are caused by the asymmetric surface to which the hydraulic pressure subjects those piston 42. Due to the slight inclination of the swath plate surface 41 these forces are limited and cause no undesirable loads or deformations.

The hydraulic transformer has two first axial bearings 57 and two second axial bearings 59. In these bearings 57, 59 a rotating part, the rotor 32 or the barrel plate 56, with a number of canals with fluid of high pressure, respectively the piston canal 38 and the barrel plate canal 57, seals against a stationary part, respectively the port plate 30 and the swivel block 36. In prior art the sealing comprises a rim that is pressed against a flat surface with a narrow gap in the range from 2 to 14 micron between them. A narrow gap of limited height reduces the leakage over the sealing. The disadvantage of a too narrow gap is that it brings the risk that local deformation in one of the parts, for instance due to local heat generation, leads to local metallic contacts and so to lack of lubrication and to undesired wear.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show the first and second axial bearing 57, 59 of the hydraulic transformer assembly 27. FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of the rotor 32 showing the second axial bearing 59. An outer ridge 67, inner ridge 68 and radial ridges 69 surround a recess that forms the end of the piston canal 38 in the rotor 32. In FIG. 13 the ridges 67, 68 and 69 are indicated in black and this black surface is the surface that seals against a sealing surface of the port plate 30. Each recess around a piston canal 38 connects intermittently to one of the three ports 43 in the port plate 30 and during the passage from one port 43 to the next port 43 the radial ridge 69 blocks the oil flow between the ports 43 by sealing on the bridge between the ports 43. The outer ridge 67 and the inner ridge 68 are provided with ridge chambers 70 that have a surface of approximately 50% of the surface of the ridges 67, 68 respectively. When the piston canal 38 is connected to a pressure source the ridges 67, 68 and 69 for an adjustable gap with the sealing surface of the port plate 30. Where there is a ridge chamber 70, which has a depth of at least 10-30 micron, the gap is higher and the viscous friction is reduced between the parts when rotating is reduced. The radial ridges 69 interrupt the ridge chambers 70. The depth of the ridge chambers 70 is at least 10-30 micron so that the viscous friction is reduced.

The oil pressure in the chambers 70 will be average between the hydraulic pressure on the both sides of the inner or outer ridge 67, 68 if the gaps on both sides of the chamber 70 are identical. In practice this is often not the case. If for instance the gap on the side of the piston canal 38 is a smaller than the gap on the other side of the chamber 70 the pressure in the chamber can be very low and the rotor 32 might be pressed towards the port plate 30 and the viscous friction increases. If the situation is the other way round the pressure in the chamber 70 might be high and the gaps get higher so that the leakage increases. The difference in the height of the gaps of a few microns might lead to these situations and also slight deformation in the ridges 67, 68 and 69 might lead to instability in the height of the gaps. In order to stabilize this, a slot 73 connects the chamber 70 with the high pressure side of the ridge 67, 68. The width of the slot 73 must be small and it is relatively deep in order minimize the influence of a changing gap-height. In practice the slot 73 is 30 micron wide and 30 micron deep, preferably its width is half of its depth.

FIG. 14 shows in a schematic section the second seal area 59. The schematic section show for each ridge 67, 68 a low-pressure side rim 71 and a high-pressure side rim 72. A canal 73 connects the chamber 70 between the low-pressure side rim 71 and the high-pressure side rim 72 with the piston canal 38 via a connecting line 74 with a restriction 75. This restriction can be adjusted by the control system, or in the parts are mechanical means that set the restriction in dependence of the circumstances of use. The restriction can for instance depend on the pressure in the piston canal 38 or it can depend on the rotation speed of the rotor 32.

In addition to the above described embodiment of the axial bearing, wherein the hydraulic pressure is supplied between ridges that form a short arc near each piston canal 38, other embodiments of axial bearings can have two concentric rings between which an oil flow with hydraulic pressure is supplied. Such embodiments can be used in machinery that has no pistons but where axial loads are generated and where the axial bearing guides these loads to a housing. In this machinery the pressure of the axial load causes a hydraulic pressure in the axial bearing, there will be control means to set the adjustable gap so that oil loss and friction resistance are optimized. 

1. An axial bearing between a first part and a second part that presses with an axial load against the first part and can rotate around a rotation axis relative to the first part comprising a circular or arc-shaped ridge on the first part centered around the rotation axis, a pressure source for providing pressurized hydraulic fluid on a first side of the circular or arc-shaped ridge, an adjustable gap between the circular or arc shaped ridge and a bearing surface on the second part, wherein the pressurized hydraulic fluid flows through the adjustable gap to a second side of the circular or arc-shaped ridge, characterized in that the circular or arc-shaped ridge and/or the bearing surface comprise a ridge chamber for locally creating a larger adjustable gap between the circular or arc-shaped ridge and the bearing surface.
 2. The axial bearing in accordance with claim 1 wherein the ridge chamber has a surface that is at least 50% of the surface of the circular or arc shaped ridge.
 3. The axial bearing in accordance with claim 1, wherein the ridge chamber has a depth of more than 10-30 microns.
 4. The axial bearing in accordance with claim 1, wherein a first slot connects the ridge chamber with the first side of the circular or arc-shaped ridge.
 5. The axial bearing in accordance with claim 1, wherein a second canal connects the ridge chamber with the second side of the circular or arc-shaped ridge.
 6. The axial bearing in accordance with claim 4, wherein a slot from the ridge chamber to the first side or the second side forms the first canal or the second canal respectively and the width of the slot is less than half its height.
 7. The axial bearing in accordance with claim 4, wherein the first or the second canal have valve means to adjust the flow resistance of the canal.
 8. The axial bearing in accordance with claim 7 wherein the rotation speed of the first part or the second part controls the valve means, preferably the valve means are set by a centrifugal force generated by the rotation in the part.
 9. The axial bearing in accordance with claim 7, wherein the pressure of the hydraulic fluid on the first side controls the valve means, preferably the valve means are set by the pressure of the pressure source on the first side.
 10. The axial bearing in accordance with claim 1, wherein the axial load depends on the pressure of the hydraulic fluid on the first side.
 11. The axial bearing in accordance with claim 1, wherein the pressure source provides hydraulic fluid between two concentric circular or arc-shaped ridges and two radial ridges connecting the circular or arc-shaped ridges.
 12. A hydraulic transformer with 4-quadrant operation for use in vehicle drive system comprising a housing with covers at opposite sides, in the housing a shaft with a rotation axis, two rotors each in axial direction supported by a first axial bearing, pistons mounted in the rotors, two inclined barrel plates that rotate with the rotors, barrel sleeves supported by the barrel plates, a chamber formed by a barrel sleeve and a piston, wherein the volume of the chamber changes during rotation of the rotor and a swath plate with a second axial bearing between the swath plate and the barrel plate characterized in that the covers each support or are part of a port plate that is part of the first axial bearing, further that the rotors are between the first axial bearings and that both swash plates are located between the rotors and support or are part of a swash block, the hydraulic transformer further comprising an actuator for rotating the swash block.
 13. The hydraulic transformer in accordance with claim 12 wherein the actuator comprises a rotary cylinder mounted in the swash block.
 14. The hydraulic transformer in accordance with claim 12, wherein the housing comprises a sensor for detecting the rotary position of the swash block.
 15. A vehicle with a hydraulic drive system comprising a common high-pressure rail with an high-pressure accumulator, a common low-pressure rail with a low-pressure accumulator, an internal combustion engine driving a constant displacement pump connected to the common high-pressure rail and the common low-pressure rail, for each front wheel or for each rear wheel a motor/pump unit and a hydraulic transformer with 4-quadrant operation with connections to the common high-pressure rail and via a first motor line and a second motor line to the motor/pump unit characterized in that the hydraulic transformer comprises a forward propulsion valve or a reverse propulsion valve connecting the common low-pressure rail respectively to the first motor line or to the second motor line, which propulsion valves have a spring to hold the valve in a first position wherein they act as check valve blocking the flow to the common low-pressure rail and an actuator that can switch the propulsion valve to a second position connecting the common low-pressure rail to one of the motor lines. 